Many of the mansions and haciendas from the colonial period were left vacant and in disrepair until the 1940's when wealthy people from Canada and the U.S. began buying up property and restoring these old buildings, a process which continues today. Now, there are about 24,000 people living here.
Yesterday, we went and explored the town.
Lots of unrestrored buildings around town.
Another one.
Lots of places for sale.
Searching online, there are several real estate websites in English, with all prices listed in U.S. dollars. Having said that, we didn't see many expats. They must be iding behind their big walled properties!
Like this one!
A nice town for walking around.
Towards the central area.
We're heading towards the mirador.
At the top, admiring the view.
And in the opposite direction is the mountains where Copper Canyon is located.
We had made arrangements to meet Sheri and Mark for lunch, so we made it to the plaza around 1:00pm and walked to a nearby restaurant. Funny thing about this town...there aren't that many restaurants. Very strange. But, we did make it to a nice place. We were looking for enchiladas... probably our last meal out in Mexico. Sure enough, we got lucky and there were enchiladas on the menu!
Ruth, Sheri, and Mark.
Lunch is served!
After lunch, we walked back to the RV park and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Didn't need much for supper, but Ruth made some delicious chorizo and potato tacos. Yum.
Sherman, parked up at Rancho Acosta Hotel and RV Park. GPS 27.02308, -108.92539
The guy with the pickup truck camper is from our hometown of Ottawa, Canada. Too funny.
This is a nice spot, but rigs any bigger than Sherman might not fit in very well. Narrow sites, and low hanging branches.
Prices are reasonable, despite the fact that the owner asks for U.S dollars. I just can't wrap my head around that. Anyhow, it's $10 USD per night without electric, or $15 USD with. All sites have water and sewer as well. She then said that if we wanted to pay in pesos, it was at 16 pesos to the dollar, which is slightly undercutting the going rate. As I said, all of this makes me shake my head.
And on that note, we were going to be heading for Guaymas next, but in doing the research, it's simply not our style. Again, the RV parks there are priced in U.S. dollars, so we're going to pass. Instead, we'll head straight for Hermosillo, which is the half way point between Alamos and Tucson. If the day is going well and we feel up to it, we'll head on to Santa Ana where there is a small RV park, and then that would make our drive to the U.S. border tomorrow a little shorter.
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Lsrger RV's only need to park parallel to the sites. The park there is never full.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fine when the park isn't busy but there would have only been one spot that a large vehicle would have been able to have done that at last night The side we were one there wouldn't have been enough room and on the other side there were two units already parked so there would only have been room for one large rig to park parallel in otherwise they would have blocked those in that were already camping. I am sure that wouldn't happen to often though.
DeleteWhat a lovely city.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a very pretty town. We quite enjoyed strolling around there.
DeleteWe visited Alamos about 5 years ago and we paid about 25.00 for a tour of 3 of theses Mansions owned by wealthy Americans. The homes were returned to the original Style and layout. We were told that the money went to pay for High School education or for higher learning. We drove our F-350 around town but some places were touch and go.
ReplyDeleteI believe that they still have those tours. Not really our thing but I would have been curious to have seen what the inside of some of those places were like.
DeleteThe tours are a fund-raiser by the local ex-pats used to help fund education for the older local children. The tours are excellent. Some of the homes are amazing. Much better than the tour in SMA.
Deleterocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja
A nice lloking town. I wonder if some day Mexico will do like Equador and simply use the US dollar as currency...
ReplyDeleteWe quite enjoyed the town, it was very clean, other than the dust and very friendly.
DeleteI hope that Mexico doesn't go that route, otherwise we would have to find another country to visit for the winter, especially if the Canadian dollar doesn't pick up.
Keep the post coming, I'm dropping waypoints in Garmin Basecamp at all the places you've stayed. If your stopping at Punta Vista RV Park in Santa Anna, say hi to Edgar and Anna for me. I stayed there on New Year's Eve. They are good people.
ReplyDeleteI think you will have to give Kevin some lessons on the Garmin Basecamp program. He had a look at it a while ago and found it awkward to use, maybe it is just because he is used to setting up his Garmin a certain way or that the program wouldn't let him do the things he wanted to do so he has just continued on programming the way he always has been, it works for him.
DeleteNo we won't be stopping there, we got to Hermosillo and he didn't feel like driving any further, if he had felt up to driving further than that is where we were going to stop for the night, perhaps another time.
YouTube has videos on using Garmin Basecamp. Those might help.
DeleteThis is a good one to start with; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d12il-R40SA
DeleteThanks Daryl, he will look at this later when we have "free" internet!
DeleteKevin and Ruth, we boondocked behind the dunes at San Carlos...turn toward the beach at Bahia Delfin and then right again just before you get to the condos. Drive along and pick a spot, very pretty. Reasonable drive to the border from there, we crossed at Lukeville
ReplyDeleteKevin knew about that spot and we might have gone there if we had had more time on the drive out of Mexico but we didn't and we didn't want to make the extra detour there. Again, maybe on another visit. Thanks for letting us know about it anyway, Alison.
DeletePretty town...love the contrast of the white buildings with the green countryside.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is very pretty and we liked the setting too!
DeleteI stayed there for a few nights many years ago when I drove a VW down to S. Mexico. I loved it then. It's nice to see your photos.
ReplyDeleteGlad we were able to rekindle some good memories for you! Maybe you need to return sometime soon.
DeleteToo much fun again, Santa Anna is very nice for an overnight stop, we enjoyed it there.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we won't be stopping in Santa Anna again on this trip. We were hoping to make it there today but Kevin had had enough driving by the time we got to Hermosillo, so this is where we will stay for the night.
DeleteYes, you are totally right Dinah! We are sad to leave Mexico but now that we have many new things in store for us in the coming month.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have many exciting things to look forward to as well. We hope everything goes as planned for you. Good luck and have fun!!!
Hi from cold and rainy Peggys Cove NS
ReplyDeleteI notice that boondocking doesn,t figure in this trip too much
Not easy to find spots or is it discouraged or otherwise unadvisable?
We did more boondocking at the beginning of our trip but once we were with the caravan group we were in RV parks after that there were some places that we could have boondocked at but if we could make a deal at a park using no electricity than we often dry camped there just for the comfort of being able to set up a site and use our BBQ. We will also park at places like balnearios and restaurants just for a little added security, for little or no money. So yes it can be done and we do it just not all the time.
DeleteIn short Mexico is a beautiful country, full of rich history and fascinating culture. From bullfighting to chocolate. I've been there with my partner and would love to visit there once again.
ReplyDeleteYou have pretty much got Mexico nailed with your description! We hope you are able to return once again because there is so much to discover. We have spent almost 8 winters here traveling around and we are still finding new and interesting places to explore.
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